Windshield washer fluid bottle heater

Abstract

A disclosed windshield washer fluid storage system includes a fluid storage container with a thermal interface. The thermal interface provides for the transference of thermal energy into the container from a heat producing electrical component. Thermal energy from the component is communicating into the container to cool the component and heat washer fluid within the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A windshield washer fluid storage system comprising:
 a fluid storage chamber defined by side walls, a bottom wall and a top; 
 a thermal interface on an exterior surface of one of the side walls, bottom wall and top of the fluid storage chamber for transference of thermal energy into the fluid storage chamber, the side walls and the bottom wall, wherein the wall thickness of the side walls decreases in a direction away from the thermal interface; and 
 cooling fins extending from at least one of the side walls. 
 
     
     
       2. The windshield washer fluid storage system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the side walls include a wall thickness that varies in a direction away from the thermal interface. 
     
     
       3. The windshield washer fluid storage system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the bottom wall includes an interior surface and the exterior surface. 
     
     
       4. The windshield washer fluid storage system as recited in  claim 3 , including a thermally conductive coating on the exterior surface. 
     
     
       5. The windshield washer fluid storage system as recited in  claim 1 , including cooling fins extending from the top. 
     
     
       6. A windshield washer fluid storage system comprising:
 a fluid storage chamber defined by side walls, a bottom wall and a top; and 
 a thermal interface on an exterior surface of one of the side walls, bottom wall and top of the fluid storage chamber for transference of thermal energy into the fluid storage chamber, the side walls and the bottom wall including a heat generating electrical device in thermal transferring contact with the thermal interface. 
 
     
     
       7. The windshield washer fluid storage system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the heat generating electrical device comprises a converter. 
     
     
       8. A windshield washer fluid storage system comprising:
 a fluid storage chamber defined by side walls, a bottom wall and a top; and 
 a thermal interface on an exterior surface of one of the side walls, bottom wall and top of the fluid storage chamber for transference of thermal energy into the fluid storage chamber, the side walls and the bottom wall, wherein the side walls, bottom wall and top are formed from a thermally conductive plastic material. 
 
     
     
       9. The windshield washer fluid storage system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the thermally conductive plastic material comprises a polycarbonate with between 15% and 25% by volume of one of aluminum nitride and boron nitrate.